Add-ons
Add-ons allow developers to extend and modify the functionality of Firefox. They are written using standard Web technologies - JavaScript, HTML, and CSS - plus some dedicated JavaScript APIs.
Among other things, an add-on could:
- Change the appearance or content of particular websites
- Modify the Firefox user interface
- Add new features to Firefox
There are several types of add-ons, but the most common type are extensions.
Developing extensions
In the past, there were several toolsets for developing Firefox extensions, but as of November 2017, extensions must be built using WebExtensions APIs. Other toolsets, such as overlay add-ons, bootstrapped add-ons, and the Add-on SDK, are no longer supported.
Extensions written using WebExtensions APIs for Firefox are designed to be cross-browser compatible. In most cases, it will run in Chrome, Edge, and Opera with few if any changes. They are also fully compatible with multiprocess Firefox. You can see the APIs currently supported in Firefox and other browsers.
Extension Workshop
The Firefox Extension Workshop can help you develop extensions for Firefox and give your users simple, yet powerful ways to customize their browsing experience. You'll find:
- Overview of the Firefox extension features
- Tools and processes for developing and testing
- How to publish your extension on addons.mozilla.org or distribute it yourself
- How to manage your published extension
- An enterprise guide for developing and using extensions
- How to develop themes for Firefox
- Firefox developer communities
Extensions for Firefox for Android
In 2020, Mozilla will release a new Firefox for Android experience. This new, high-performance browser for Android has been rebuilt from the ground up using GeckoView, Mozilla's mobile browser engine. We are currently building support for the WebExtensions API on GeckoView.
Migrate an existing extension
If you maintain a legacy extension, such as an XUL overlay, bootstrapped, or Add-on SDK-based extension, you can still port it to use WebExtension APIs. There are some porting resources on Firefox Extension Workshop, our site for Firefox-specific development resources.
For more information about transition support, please visit our wiki page.
Publishing add-ons
Addons.mozilla.org, commonly known as "AMO," is Mozilla's official site for developers to list add-ons, and for users to discover them. By uploading your add-on to AMO, you can participate in our community of users and creators and find an audience for your add-on.
You are not required to list your add-on on AMO, but your add-on must be signed by Mozilla else users will not be able to install it.
For an overview for the process of publishing your add-on see Signing and distributing your add-on.
Other types of add-ons
In addition to extensions, there are a few other add-on types that allow users to customize Firefox. Those add-ons include:
- User dictionaries let you spell-check in different languages.
- Language packs let you have more languages available for the user interface of Firefox.
Contact us
Check out the contact us page for details on how to get help, keep up to date with add-ons news, and give us feedback.